Man Could Face More Charges In Stabbing

Bond At $4 Million For Suspect Accused Of Slaying Stepmother

Charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and armed violence, Christopher T.E. Swan may face additional charges in the fatal stabbing of his stepmother in Woodstock, prosecutors said Monday.

Swan, 31, remained in McHenry County Jail Monday on $4 million bond. He is charged with killing Cynthia Swan, 36, Friday by stabbing her 40 times with a steak knife in the Walden Oaks apartment they shared with Swan's 62-year-old father, Tom, authorities said. An autopsy Sunday revealed that Cynthia Swan was stabbed in the chest, back, head, face and arms, according to McHenry County coroner Marlene Lantz. She probably died within minutes of the attack, Lantz said.

Terence Nader, the McHenry County state's attorney's chief criminal prosecutor, said additional charges may be forwarded to the grand jury, but he declined to elaborate.

"After a review of the crime scene and talking with Woodstock investigators, additional charges can't be ruled out," Nader said.

Woodstock Police Chief Joe Marvin said an argument between Christopher Swan and his stepmother escalated Friday afternoon, and he attacked her with a steak knife. Tom Swan, came home at about 4:10 p.m. and was attacked by his son with a second, butcher-type knife, but received only minor injuries, police said.

Woodstock police arrested Swan within a few blocks of the crime scene. Marvin said Swan gave a statement to police, though he declined to say what information Swan provided.

Christopher Swan moved in with his father and stepmother about 10 months ago. Marvin said Tom Swan had taken his son into his home in an attempt to help a troubled young man. Both men worked as security guards.

At his appearance in Saturday bond court, Swan stood downcast and motionless.

The Walden Oaks complex was quiet over the weekend, with the long driveway and small ponds coated in untrampled snow. A group of children sledded down a small embankment directly in front of the Swan apartment, blocked off with police crime-scene tape.

Neighbors said the apartment complex was a friendly place that seemed far removed from violent crime.

"There aren't a lot of places where people look out for each other any more, but this is one of them," resident Tina Griffith said.

Swan was the first person charged with first-degree murder in the county since Edward Milka in the May 1997 slaying of Brittany Martinez. That case has yet to go to trial.

The New Year's day murder was the first felony charge filed in McHenry County this year.

On Monday, McHenry County Public Defender Mark Cook filed a motion asking that a special public defender be named because of a conflict of interest. The office had represented Cynthia Swan in a another court case.

Swan's next court appearance will be Jan. 15.

McHenry County authorities said they are confident they have a good case, saying they arrested Christopher Swan a short distance from the attack, the murder weapon was recovered, and his father was a witness.

"It would appear that we have everything that is necessary to make the case," Marvin said.